Saturday, July 2

Macy’s Fishing Clinic – Prospect Park
Due to budget cuts, Macy’s has replaced its annual kids' fishing contest with clinics. Children under 16 can learn the basics of catch-and-release fishing and cast their lines in Prospect Park. FREE

Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays – Brooklyn
In honor of the institution's brand-new exhibition Vishnu: Hinduism’s Blue-Skinned Savior, visitors can enjoy Hindu music, dance, storytelling and hands-on art workshops. FREE

Saturday Sculpture Workshops – Long Island City
At the Socrates Sculpture Park, kids can create necklaces, pins and bracelets from objects found in the park and recycled items brought from home. FREE

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, July 3

SummerStage's Bronx Family Day – the Bronx
What a lineup: Storytellers Bill Harley and David Gonzalez appear along with bouncy bilingual band Moona Luna, multicultural dance company Illstyle & Peace Productions and kid-hoppers Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. FREE

Freedom Strut – Prospect Park
In addition to being Independence Day, July 4 also marks the 184th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in New York State. Mark this milestone at Lefferts Historic House by making crafts, hearing stories of slavery and survival, and joining a "freedom strut:" a loud and proud march celebrating emancipation. FREE

Clearing in the Forest: Wildlife – Upper West Side
This biweekly family performance series celebrates July 4 a little early with a live show featuring America’s favorite bird of prey, the Bald Eagle. FREE

Grease – Fort Greene
Summer lovin', had me a blast...and you can too at this outdoor screening of Grease in Habana Outpost's garden. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Monday, July 4

Macy’s Firework Spectacular – Hudson River
The big to-do today is Macy’s dazzling display. It's taking place on the West Side again this year, with amazing pyrotechnics shot from barges on the Hudson River. We've got the scoop on the best places to watch. FREE

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest – Coney Island
Always a hot dog of a time, come on down and see if legendary competitive eater Joey Chestnut can hold onto his title as he scarfs down an insane number of Nathan’s famous franks. Plus new this year: the Women’s Hot Dog Eating World Championship. Predicted to win: 105-pound Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, the current female record holder with 41 hot dogs and buns. FREE

Declare Independence – Prospect Park
The Lefferts Historic House invites visitors get into the spirit of the holiday by making old-fashioned feathered hats and signing a replica of the Declaration of Independence. FREE

Met Holiday Monday – Upper East Side
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open and offering special family sketching programs throughout the day. FREE with museum admission.

See all Monday events.

Outside NYC

New Jersey's Hudson River towns are prime viewing spots for Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. Plus, seaside towns like Cape May and Atlantic City are hosting their own spectaculars.

Long Island offers ample opportunities to boat ride. My family's partial to the Discovery Wetlands Cruise that sails around the serene Stony Brook Harbor with a naturalist on board.

If seeing Macy's bombs bursting in air sounds too chaotic for your family, head to Connecticut where you'll find a ton of low-key pyrotechnic displays throughout the weekend.

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar.

Planning an event? Submit it to our calendar here.

Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.